Hotel of the week: Dellearti Design Hotel, Cremona

The Dellearti Design Hotel is just around the corner from Cremona's famous musical instrument museum, home to violins made by Antonio Stradivari and other great 18th-century luthiers. But the hotel could scarcely provide a more "refreshing contrast" to their ornately crafted work, says Claudia Pritchard in the Independent on Sunday.

It is "ultra-cool", with contemporary work by local artists exhibited in its "clean-lined" public spaces. Rooms are "modern but comfortable", with "luxurious" en-suite bathrooms. Breakfast is the only meal served, but there are "ranks of restaurants" nearby.

Double rooms start at €110 b&b. Contact: 0039 0372 23131;
www.dellearti.com. ·